Using idioms in description

inkyfox · Apr 20, 2019

Hi, Guys ’n’ girls!
I didn’t say it yet, but I also write screenplays… or try it at least. And there it is important that you don’t double the description. But I’m very unsure if I should use idioms to describe feelings like being angry or being sad. What’s your opinion?

cornflake · Apr 20, 2019

I'm not sure I understand what you mean, but you can use idioms in most things. People use idioms when they speak, so it's fine in dialogue.

Auteur · Apr 20, 2019

In screenplays, you want everything to be clear and concise, so in my opinion, you shouldn't use idioms to describe feelings. Just write "angry" or "sad" or whatever emotion you want the character to express.

dpaterso · Apr 20, 2019

I remember laughing out loud when I read "O-Ren fries an egg on her head." in QT's KILL BILL script, and thinking how wonderfully descriptive that was, painting an image of a character who's ready to explode with rage.

So I vote yeah to that, if that's the kind of thing you mean. Write stuff in as entertaining a manner as you can.

-Derek

Using idioms in description

inkyfox

cornflake

practical experience, FTW

Auteur

Redacted

dpaterso

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